Senator RICE

The Greens have campaigned on democratic electoral reform for over a decade. Our party, which was formed 45 years ago, has as one of its core principles-one of its four principles in its charter-participative democracy. It is absolutely crucial to who we are as a party. We are also a party who represents our grassroots members. Our members write our policies and our national council constantly works with the party room on how we deliver these policies and these principles.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people. For centuries people across the world have been prepared to lay down their lives for this democratic ideal. They do it because democracy provides citizens with freedom, with prosperity and with opportunities to flourish. They do it because democracy allows people to speak freely and to shape their own destiny.

Senator RHIANNON

I am pleased to resume my contribution to the debate on the Greens' Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donations Reform) Bill 2014.

If passed, this bill would stop certain industries, often linked with having a corrupting influence on the political process, from donating to political parties. The Greens' donations reform bill bans political donations from developers and the tobacco, alcohol, gambling and mining industries.

The Greens have today welcomed news that a bill for Senate voting reform will be introduced into parliament this week, calling on opposition leader Bill Shorten to back the changes that are supported by many within his own party.

"Over 12 years the Greens have been putting forward legislation for Senate voting reform that ends back room preference deals and puts power back into the hands of voters," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:43): It is time to end the farce of 1 February, which is the Australian Electoral Commission political donation disclosure day. I am not blaming the AEC. It is the law that is an ass when it comes to how our political donations are disclosed. This is not a day of transparency; it is actually a day when we are reminded how urgently we need electoral funding reform.

Today's release of last years' political donations data shows disclosure is too slow and corporate donations too influential, say the Australian Greens.

"Integrity is shaping up to be a huge issue this election year. The Liberals are singling out one group in society, but refusing to look at their mates in the corporate sector and the bigger question of donations distorting our democracy," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

The Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the decision of the NSW Premier Mike Baird to add his voice to the growing call for national uniform political donation reform.

"Now we have state premiers backing the call for political donation reform, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should ensure the changes are in place before the next federal election," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The High Court case handed down last week cleared the way for the quick passage of reforms.

The Greens are calling on Prime Minister Turnbull to support legislation for a ban on political donations from select industries following former Newcastle Mayor Jeff McCloy's defeat in the High Court today.

"The High court's decision to uphold a NSW ban on political donations from the developer, tobacco, gambling and alcohol industries is good news for democracy," said Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon.

Reforming political donations, ending corruption, and giving people a say in how Australian government works.

The Greens are committed to reforms that give people a greater say in how Australian government works. We want proportional representation in all parliaments so that voters’ diversity is better represented. The Greens are campaigning to strengthen the democratic values of our voting system, with the Senate voting reforms a key step that returned preferences back to the voter.

We are working to reform political donations and have Bills in parliament that will reduce the influence of the big end of town. We are also working to strengthen the federal lobbyist code of conduct so we know which industries are trying to influence our politicians. The Greens are committed to separating business interests from politics by introducing a national anti-corruption watchdog. We will continue to work to ensure that those who are marginalised and with little power have their voice heard and can genuinely participate in the political process.